VICTORY OF LA HOGUE

53

on board their ships, as King James advised, and defended them, it would have been impossible for our fleet to have destroyed them, none but small ships being able to come near them. But they had suffered so much in the battle, and were under such terrors, that they left most of their wounded men to perish with the ships, though they had time given them on purpose to carry them off. Sir1 George Rooke having thus entirely executed his orders in destroying the French ships, he weighed with his squadron, and soon after joined the Admiral, who sailed the 25th, and arrived at St. Helens the day following. Queen Mary was no sooner informed of this victory, than she sent a gratuity of £30,000 to Portsmouth to be distributed amongst the seamen and soldiers; medals were struck and given to the officers, as tokens of honour; and the bodies of Rear-Admiral Carter, and Colonel Hastings, who were killed in the battle, were honourably interred.

As to the battle itself, it was a very confused business, though fortunately crowned with success; but the success might have been much greater, if it had been as well conducted on our part, as on the part of the enemy, who made a brave attack, and a fine retreat, without having one ship taken; so that little glory could redound to the Admiral for having beaten 56 sail with near 100. But considering the situation of our fleet, and the absence of the van and rear, it was as brave as if it had consisted of the Red Squadron only; and therefore it may truly be said, that the enemy were beat by an inferior number. And the success that followed at Cherbourg and La Hogue gave

His knighthood was conferred in recognition of this service.

such a shock to the naval power of France, that they never appeared with a fleet able to face ours afterwards during the war. It likewise prevented their design of pushing over King James for1 Ireland at the head of 20,000 men; for which they only waited the issue of a battle. And this defeat fell so heavy upon King James, that it made him give over all thoughts of recovering his crown, and at length broke his heart.

It was believed, (says Bishop Burnet,)' that if this success had been pursued with vigour, considering the consternation with which the French were struck, that the victory might have been carried much farther than it was; but Russell was provoked by some letters and orders sent him by the Queen, and upon that he fell into a crossness of disposition; he found fault with every order that was sent him, but would offer no advice on his part.'

The fleet being returned to Portsmouth, and having been refitted, sailed from Spithead the 14th of June to endeavour to prevent the French Blue Squadron, which had got into St. Malo after the late battle, and was now repaired, from joining the rest in Brest harbour; and in order to improve the late victory by making a descent upon France. Three days after, Captain Leake, in company with five sail more, having been refitted, followed after, and joined the fleet on the coast of France. The 2nd of July the whole fleet anchored in Guernsey Road. Three days after, Vice-Admiral Rooke with 32 sail, was sent off St. Malo, and the rest of the fleet sailed a cruising, but were forced by bad weather, the 8th, into Torbay. Here they were joined by Mr.

1 'From 'in the text.

PROJECTED ATTACK ON ST. MALO 55

Rooke from the coast of St. Malo, where he had been taking the soundings, in order to attack that place. Upon this a council of war was called; and the 15th the whole fleet sailed from Torbay, and several detachments were made to intercept the St. Malo squadron, whilst the Admiral, with the gross of the fleet (wherein Captain Leake remained) continued to cruise to and fro, as wind and weather permitted; but the wind coming westerly, and fearing they might be drove to the eastward of Torbay, they put in there with the fleet, and took in provisions. They sailed from thence the 26th, and two days after were joined by the transports with the land forces, under the command of the Duke of Leinster. Upon this junction a council of war was held, consisting of sea and land officers; and it was agreed to be impracticable to attempt St. Malo, or any other place, so late in the year. Kennett says, that in regard this fleet set sail with a fair wind, in the most favourable season of the year, there was no small expectation of some considerable enterprise; but in four or five days the transports, with part of the fleet, returned to St. Helens. This unexpected return occasioned various conjectures. Enquiry was afterwards made in Parliament, in relation to the escape of the French ships which got into St. Malo, after the late battle, and why a descent had not been made, as was intended. Russell made but poor excuses. But the House of Commons, of which he was a member (says Burnet), gave him thanks over and over, and remained so fixed, that though the Lords then communicated to the Commons

1 Rooke's report is printed in full by Burchett, pp. 472-3. • Considering.

the papers which the Earl of Nottingham, Secretary. of State, had laid before them, they would not so much as read them. The King was, however, so well satisfied with his misconduct, that he set him aside in the spring.1

This expedition against France having been laid aside, as above-mentioned, Captain Leake after a short cruise in the Channel, arrived at Spithead the 7th of September. The 18th Sir John Ashby hoisted his flag on board the Eagle, and the next day sailed with 25 ships of the line, English and Dutch and 8 fireships. They cruised off Ushant ten days, and the 1st of October put into Torbay, from whence they sailed the 9th, and the next day anchored at St. Helens. The Admiral continued his flag flying till the 3rd of November, when he removed to another ship, the Eagle being ordered to Chatham. Pursuant to these orders Captain Leake sailed the 11th, and after a very bad passage, arrived at the place the 14th of November; and the last of December the Eagle was put out of commission.

1 Rooke's report was favourable to a descent on the enemy's coast, but condemned as impracticable any attempt to destroy the squadron under d'Amfreville that Hervé Riel had piloted into the Rance.

CHAPTER VI

Captain Leake's proceedings with a squadron in the Channel, and afterwards with the Grand Fleet in the Mediterranean, Channel, and Soundings, to the conclusion of the war.

THE day Captain Leake was discharged from the Eagle at Chatham, he was commissioned for the Plymouth at Portsmouth, a Third Rate of 60 guns; for, by Mr. Pepys's List of the Navy and all lines of battle at this time, it appears 60-gun ships were Third Rates, but under 60 guns were Fourth Rates. There was at this time a great want of seamen; nevertheless, by his application and good character he manned his ship, and got her in a readiness for the sea by the 27th of February. He was thereupon ordered upon a cruise in the Channel. Pursuant to these orders, on the 8th of March he sailed from Spithead, taking under his command the Adventure, Crown, Soldadoes' Prize, and Goodwin sloop. Two days after he was off the Saine Head, and discovered two sail which he chased. But not being able to come up with them, he lay by the next day to join his squadron. The following day he chased two sail more till night intercepted them;

1 1693.

• From another passage (see below, p. 112) it would appear that by Saine Head (variously spelled) our author meant the Pointe de Saire midway between Barfleur and La Hogue.